Finishing machine for elongated tapered articles



M r 1952 D. M. KlTTERMAN FINISHING MACHINE FOR ELONGATED TAPERED ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 25, 1949 Mlrch I8, 1952 1;). M. KITTERMAN FINISHING MACHINE FOR ELONGATED TAPERED ARTICLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 25, 1949 INVENTOR. flaw/a M A flzymaxr ATTOENE l March 1952 D. M. KITTERMAN FINISHING MACHINE FOR ELONGATED TAPERED ARTICLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 25, 1949 TTIT INVEN TOR. 00/74/0 MA f/fermam Patented Mar. 18, 1952 FINISHING MACHINE FOR ELONGATED TAPERED ARTICLES Donald M. Kitterman, Kansas City, Kans.

Application April 25, 1949, Serial No. 89,403

8 Claims.

other as the same rotate and as the article to be ground is directed therebetween, to the end that. the amount of material removed by the discs from the article being ground, can be varied as desired along the length of such article.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide a grinder for tapering an elongated, initially cylindrical article through the medium of a pair of rotatable grinding discs, movable toward and from each other and normally held biased together and in grinding relationship to the article, there being a cam member shaped in conformity with the desired shape of the finished article movable between the mounting means'for the disc simultaneously with the article being ground to effect to increase the distance between the rotating disc.

Another important object .of the present invention is to provide a grinding device as above set forth, having as a part thereof structure for continually rotating the article being ground between the rotating discs as such article is moved along a rectilinear path between such discs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine for tapering elongated articles having structure capable of engaging the article being ground to rotate the same and provided with novel means for permitting longitudinal movement of the elongated article as the same is being rotated.

Another object of the present invention i to provide means interconnecting the supports for the rotating grinders operable to efiect uniform reciprocable movement of the rotating discs toward and away from each other as the machine is placed in operation.

Other more minor, yet important objects, will be made clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a finishing machine for elongated tapered articles made in accordance with my present invention, parts being broken away to reveal details of construction.

Fig. 1a is a side elevational view showing a continuation of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line IIIIII of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse, cross-sectional view taken on line IV--IV of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a vertical, transverse, cross-sectional view taken on irregular line VV of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on line VlIVII of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a transverse, cross-sectional view taken on line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, stretched-out perspective view showing a portion of the article receiving and holding means forming a part oi the machine.

A pair of parallel, elongated, horizontally disposed beams 10 and 12 are mounted at the ends thereof on a pair of supports l4 and I6 respectively.

Beams I0 and [2 have rigidly secured thereto and intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of spaced-apart, parallel cross bars I8 and 20.

A plurality of short blocks 22 underlying the beams l0 and 12, are releasably secured to the cross bars 18 and 20 in any suitable manner to hold the latter rigid to the beams l0 and 12.

Cross bars l8 and 20 support a pair of horizontal, rectangular plates 24 and 26 that are spaced apart at their innermost proximal edges and secured directly to the cross bars l8 and 20 in any suitable manner not shown. Accordingly, the plate 24 is disposed directly above the beam H] with its longitudinal axis parallel with beam I6 and the plate 26 is disposed above beam 12 in the same manner.

Each plate 24 and 26 is provided with a transverse, relatively wide cavity designated by the numerals 28 and 3!] respectively, having one longitudinal edge thereof under-cut in the manner illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6.

A pair of blocks 32 and 34, each being dovetailed in cross-section as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, are reciprocably mounted within the cavities 28 and 30 respectively for movement toward and away from each other in aligned paths of travel traversing the longitudinal axes of beams l0 and i2. One longitudinal edge of the blocks 32 and 34 is slidably received by the under-cut portion of its corresponding cavity 28 or 3D. Strips 3E and 38 within cavities 2B and 30 respectively, are removably secured to the corresponding plate 24 or 26 through the medium of screws or the like 40, for locking the reciprocable blocks 32 and 34 in place.

Each of the blocks 32 and 34 is provided with a longitudinal open top groove 42 that is covered by a plate 44 and 46 joined directly to blocks 32 and 34 respectively in any suitable manner. The grooves 42 each receive an elongated bar 48 having a pin 50 on the innermost end thereof that extends downwardly into cavities 20 and 30 as the case may be adjacent the inner end of the corresponding block 32 and 34.

The pins 50 each swingably receive a short link 52 that underlies the bar 40. A shaft 54 journaled in link 5'2 and parallel with pin 55 extends downwardly adjacent the innermost end of the corresponding plate 24 or 26 and has a roller 56 mounted thereon for free rotation. The upper and lowermost ends of the shaft 54 project above link 52 and below roller 50 to receive the bifurcated end of an elongated arm 58. That end of the arm 50 opposite to roller 56, receives a vertical pin 68 secured by set screw 6| at its uppermost end to a panel Mi -that has a portion thereof disposed above the cross bar 20-midway between the ends of the latter.

The arm 50 has a gear 64 rigidly secured to its lowermost edge and mounted on the pin 60 directly above a member 66 that receives the lowermost end of the pin 66. Member 66 is secured to bar 20'and to a block 03 overlying and joining the bar 28. Block 68 is perforamd as at 10 to clear a template or cam memberl2 as will hereinafter appear. The panel 62 is likewise joined to the member 68.

Accordingly, each block 32 and 34 carries therewith for reciprocable movement, a bar 40 having a roller 56 thereon. Each roller 56 is joined through a shaft 54 with an arm 08. The two arms 58 are connected with panel 62 and with member 68 through a pin 60 and accordingly, there is provided a pair of gears 64 that are always intermeshed as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Each of' the blocks 48 is provided with an adjusting screw 14 having an operating knob I6 on the outermost end thereof for varying the distance between the two rollers 56 at any given point along thereciprocable paths of movement of the blocks 32 and 34. I

A set screw E8; in plate 44 or 45, as the case may be, releasably locks the block 43 in the adjusted position. It is thus seen that movement of either of the blocks 32 or 34 will transmit movement to the other block through the gears 64, all to the end that reciprocable movement of blocks 32 and 34, and all of the parts carried thereby, is maintained uniform.

A pair of L-shaped brackets 80 carried by the outermost edges of each of the plates 24 and 26, each receive an adjustable screw 82 that in turn receives one end of a sprin 84, the opposite end of each of the springs 84 extending into a cavity 86 formed in the outermost ends of the reciprocable blocks 32 and 34. Thus, blocks 32 and 34, as well as their rollers 56, are yieldably held at the innermost ends .of their paths of travel by the four springs 84.

A pair of electric motors 88 and snare mounted directly upon the uppermost faces of the plates 44 and 46 with their drive shafts parallel, and perpendicular to the paths of travel of the plates 44 and 43 and their respective underlying blocks 32 and 34. Each of such drive shafts carries a grinder disc 02.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 1a of the drawings, the beams I0 and I2 slidably receive a carriage 94, movable toward and away frointhe supporting member I4 and accordinglytoward and away from the grinder discs 92. Rectilifiear movement is imparted to the carriage 94 in one direction through the medium of an electric motor 96 that drives, through suitable reduction gearing, a gear 98 that meshes with an elongated rack I02 extending parallel with the beams I0 and I2 and thereabove, from the carriage 94 toward the grinding assembly including discs 02. The cam member I2 referred to above, comprises an elongated tapered rod having its base end secured directly to that end of the rack member I02 opposite to the carriage 94.

Gear 98 is mounted on a spring-loaded lever I00 normally held in place with gear 98 meshing with rack I02 by a spring-loaded trigger I04.

An ear I06 on the rack 502, intermediate the ends thereof, serves to trip the trigger I04 and thereby to release the gear 98 when the carriage 94 reaches that end of its path of travel remote from the support I4.

A plurality of up-standing supporting members I-0I carried by the beams I0 and I2, receive bearings I00 at the uppermost ends thereof that in turn journal an elongated tube H0 directly above and parallel with the longitudinal axis of template I2. One end of the tube H0 has an enlarged head II2 thereon provided with a frusto-conical cavity Il4'for'receiving a complementary head II6 of a relatively short tube H8 provided with a polygonal bore I20.

Interlocking ears I22 and slots I24 on heads II6 and H2 respectively, prevent relative rotation between the tubular members H8 and H0 when the cavity H4 in head H2 is received by the head I I6.

Anelo'ngated plunger I26 rotatably secured at one end thereof to the carriage 04-, is also polygonal in cross-section and adapted to be received bythe bore as well as the opening throughthe tube I I0.

An ea'r I28 is formed on that end-of theplunger I26 opposite to carriage 04. A follower I30, slidably mounted on a rod I32 and on the plunger I26, rotatably supports the latter.

The rod I32 is secured to the proximal support I01 at one end thereof and is slidalo'ly received by the carriage 04 adjacent its opposite end. Movement of the carriage 94 and its component parts ineluding rack I02, follower I30 and plunger I26 in a direction toward the support I4, is through the medium of an hydraulic system ineluding a Cylinder I34 disposed between the beams I0 and I2 adjacent the support I6 and to one side of the frame pieces I8 and 20 opposite to the carriage 04.

Hydraulic cylinder I34 has an elongated plunger I36 extending therefrom parallel with and between the beams I0 and I2 and joining with the carriage 34 at its outermost free end, as illustrated in Fig. l. A roller I38 supports the rack I02 throughout its reciprocable movement.

That end of the elongated tube H0 opposite to the head II2 thereof, passes through a hollow body I40 that is in turn mounted on a bracket I42 carried by the cross-bar I8, the bracket I42 being perforated as at I44 to clear the template I2. Body I40 has a pair of bearings I46 for rotatably receiving the proximal end of tube III] and a collar I48 circumscribes a portion of the tube IIO Within the body I40 and is slidably mounted thereon.

one end of the collar I43 has a frusto-conical cavity I50 that bears against a plurality 'of sharpened discs I52 passing through slots I54 formed in the tube H0. A spring I56, coiled about the tube II 0, yieldably holds the collar I48 bearing against the discs I52. The shafts that journal each of the discs I52 traverse the slots I54 as shown in Fig. 8 and have their ends seated in outwardly facing cavities, there being such a cavity on each side of each slot I54 respectively.

That end of the tube I I0 that projects slightly beyond the body I40 is in direct alignment with the space between the rotating grinding discs 92 and with a tubular guide I58 on the opposite side'of grinding discs 92.

Guide I58 is in turn aligned with a tube I69 supported by a bracket I62 extending inwardly from the crossbar 20. A support I64 is mounted directly below the grinding discs 92 and is vertically adjusted through the medium of a bolt I66 locked in place by set screw I68. The uppermost end of the support I64 is angled toward the proximal end of tube H6 as at I16.

Continual rotation of the elongated tube HE is accomplished through use of an electric motor I12 having connection through belt I14 with a sheave I'I'fi mounted directly on the tube IIII adjacent the body I40. In operation, an elongated member such as a glass fishing rod (not shown) that is originally cylindrical in cross section and that is to be tapered in conformity with the shape of the template I2, is threaded into the tube IIIl when the carriage 94 is at that end of its path of travel adjacent the support I4 and when the plunger I26 is thus retracted from the tube H9. Movement of the carriage 94 toward the brackets II'I'I, will move the plunger I26 into the tube H0 and force the rod longitudinally through the tube IIII until it comes into contact with the discs I52.

The rod will force the discs I52 outwardly against the action of spring I56 and the discs I 52 will bite into the rod and prevent rotation of the latter relative to the tube III Tube III) is constantly rotating through energization of the motor I12 and since the collar I48, together with the discs I52 rotate therewith, the rod will accordingly be rotated as the same is pushed through the tube H0 along a straight path of travel by the plunger I26.

From the tube III], the rod will be directed to inclined face I of support I 64 and be thereupon directed into the guide I58 and the relativelyshorttube I 66. While the carriage 94 and its plunger I26 drive the rod in the manner just mentioned, carriage 94 will also drive the template 12 through the opening 544 and between the rollers 56. Such movement of cam member 12 between rollers 56, will progressively increase the distance between the two rotating grinder discs 92 because movement of the rollers 56 away from each other, will move blocks 48 apart to in turn move the blocks 32 and 34 and plates 44 and 46 outwardly. The outward movement of the grinders 92 will be uniform because of the provision of gears 64 as above explained.

Motor 96 operates continually but as soon as the ear I06 releases gear 93, movement of carriage 94 will cease and at this point, the rod will have passed through the grinding elements 92 and be ready for removal from the tube section I60. The operator thereupon, operates the hydraulic system including cylinder I34, to force plunger I36 toward the support I4 and to thereby return the carriage 94 to its starting position. oftentimes it may be desirable or necessary to regrind a tapered rod and when such operation takes place, the discs I52 will be incapable of holding such tapered rod against rotation relative to the tube I III. The base end of the tapered rod to be re-ground, is slitted for receiving ear 128 of the plunger I26. Rotative movement is imparted to such tapered rod from the rotating tube I I0 through the heads H2 and H6, and the rotatable plunger I26.

It is seen from the foregoing that rods are tapered in conformity with the cam member I2 through use of the rotating grinding wheels 92 that are held biased against rod through the medium of springs 84. As the rod is forced through the tube IIB along the rectilinear path of travel, rotative movement is imparted to the rod by the rotating tube IIli. Because of a uniform speed of movement of the rod through the tube III), through a constant uniform speed of rotation of the cutting wheels 92, and through progressive and uniform outward movement of the rollers 56, thei-finished rod will have a longitudinal taper and the diameter thereof will progressively increase as the base end thereof is approached.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1." In a finishing machine for elongated articles, a pair of opposed, rotatable grinding wheels mounted for movement toward and away from each other; structure for continuously moving the article to be finished in one direction on its longitudinal axis between said grinding wheels and with respect thereto; means for yieldably holding the grinding wheels biased against said article as the same is being moved; means for simultaneously rotatingthe article on said axis as the same is moved; and means for progressively increasing the distance between the grinding wheels as the article is moved therebetween.

2. In a finishing machine for elongated articles, a pair of opposed, rotatable grinding wheels mounted for reciprocation toward and away from each other; a support for each grinding wheel respectively; structure for holding the article to be finished between said'grinding wheels; apparatus for imparting relative movement to the article and the grinding wheels with respect to the longitudinal axis of the article; spring means for yieldably holding the grinding wheels biased against said article; template means for progressively moving the grinding wheels away from each other against said means as'said apparatus operates; and mechanism operably interconnecting said supports for moving the latter in response to operation of said spring means and said template mean to synchronize the reciprocation of the grinding wheels.

3. In a finishing machine for elongated articles, structure for continuously moving an article to be finished on its longitudinal axis along a rectilinear path of travel and simultaneously rotating the article on said axis, said structure comprising a rotatable tube adapted to receive said article; a plunger for forcing the article through the tube; and means for connecting the article with the tube for rotation therewith as the article is moved through the tube.

4. In a finishing machine for elongated articles, structure for simultaneously moving an article to be finished on its longitudinal axis along a rectilinear path of travel and rotating the article on said axis, said structure comprising a rotatable. tube adapted to receive said article; a plunger for forcing the article through the tube; and means for connecting the article with the tube for rotation therewith, said means including parts for 7 Joining the plunger and the article andv elements for joining the plunger and thetube.

5 In a-finishing machine for elongated articles, structure for simultaneously moving an article to be finished on its longitudinal axis along a rectilinear path of travel and rotating the article onsaid axis, said structure comprising a rotatable tube adapted to receive said article; a plunger for forcing the article through the tube; and means for connecting the article with the tube for rotation therewith, said means including at least one member rotatably carried by the tube and engagable' with said article, said member being disposed for engagement by the article for rotation thereby as the same is forced through the tube.

6. In a finishing machine of the kind described, a pair of members movable toward and away from eachother; means for yieldably holding the'members biased together; and mechanism to equalize outward movement of the members as an article is forced therebetween to force the same apart against the actions of said means, said mechanism including a pair'of intermeshing gears and an arm for each gear respectively and mounted for swinging movement thereby, each arm being operably connected with a corresponding member.

'7. In a grinding machine, a pair of spaced supports; a block for each support respectively and carried thereby for reciprocable movement of the blockstoward and away from each other; a grinding wheel carried by each block respectively; yieldabl'e means on each support respectively and engageable with the blocks thereof for holding the blocks biased toward each other; and a roller attached to each block respectively and adapted to receive a movable template therebetween to separate the blocks against the action of said yieldable means to move the grinding wheels apart;

8. In a grinding machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein each block is provided with a roller supporting bar, the bars being shiftable toward and away from each other with respect to their blocks, and. wherein means is provided for each bar re spectively for holding the same in selected positions relative to the corresponding blocks.

DONALD M, KITTERMAN.

REFERENCES CE'KED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,193,453 Brinkman Aug. 1, 1916 1,256,646 Barry Feb. 19, 1918 1,440,386 Hawes Jan. 2, 1923 1,864,584 Cowdery June 28, 1932 1,919,144 Booth July 18, 1933 2,191,930 Arms et al Feb. 27, 1940 2,304,580 Luers Dec. 8, 1942 2,505,815 Wodetzky May 2, 1950 

